Death Parade Episode #4 Review:

Another great episode of Death Parade. We return to the dark and gloomy atmosphere that we're used with 2 new exciting characters.

The Show:

This episode was quite a good one. Once again we reverted back to a more unstable and violent relationship for our main characters. Both characters did not know each other, and it isn't clear if they both died at the same time. 

Honestly, Misaki's personality was annoying and snot-nosed all the way until she finally got sent to the void. Although she did have multiple divorces and multiple children, she doesn't seem to truly love any of her children. In her flashbacks, the older children seem to always have bitter faces, and she is smiling with the younger crew. There seems to be an unequal sharing of the love, if you can even consider it love. While playing the game, the special attack she uses with the children is all things to considered "weak". This time all the children are in the frame, but she still claims that they are weak. Even during her final pleas to Dequim, she was kept talking about herself. She never once mentioned talked about them as if she really missed or needed them. She saw them as solely an essential part of her life that was now coming back to order.

Kousuke' s life a lot less dramatic, but still melancholy and a worthy one to explore. He seemed to deeply regret the fact that he never called his step-mom, "mom". In the end, Kousuke never really was that exciting, and I thought his story was kind of lackluster. Though it's clear he deeply regrets his decisions to reject his step-mother, it is not too clear why he died. Was it because of his regrets? Is it because he couldn't face his step-mother after all the pain he caused? I don't really know?

The Good:

• A fine return to our regular themes of despair and heart-break.
• Animation is still great and the music especially was diverse and fit the scenes well.
• Once again Dequim is showing a more human side to himself. This time is the most direct, but the most unnoticeable. If he didn't actually say that he had pride, honestly, I wouldn't have known it. He is becoming more and more human and less of a robot/flat character each and every episode.
• The part with Misaki smacking Kousuke's head into the screen was amazingly done. I was most certainly not expecting it, and it helped demonstrate her impulsive nature as she immediately regret it. 

The Bad:

Although I really enjoyed the episode as a whole, there are a couple things that really urked me.

• Really Kousuke? Really Madhouse? They gave him Crocs. I might just be me, but that was really annoying. Why couldn't they have just given him regular shoes. 
• I felt that overall Kousuke had a rather boring and uneventful story, and this showed by the producers. He definitely received a lot less flashbacks and they were often similarly themed.
• The step-mother's jaw is huge and honestly, if you gave her a 10-foot body, she could be a Titan.

The Questions and Answers:

• NONA? --Nope
• Maria? -- I'm still pretending like I never saw it.
• Arbiters?-- Well still no real news about them. I guess Dequim is showing human qualities.
• Otaku/Hikkomori? -- Yes there was one, albeit not a very exciting one.
• Dequim's Character?-- He continues to evolve and show his human emotions and values.
• What is the relationship level for players to meet up? -- Apparently now any opposite-sex players that have died can meet up.

The Questions NEW:

• I honestly cannot think of too many questions that I have for now.

The Conclusion:

I certainly did enjoy this episode more than the previous, though that isn't to say that it was better. It was a highly enjoyable episode that really had me cheering against Misaki the whole time. I'd give it an 8.01 similar to last weeks episode, as although I enjoyed it better, I think it was slightly worse overall. As always don't forget to Follow, +1, Comment, and CYA!

Death Parade Episode #3 Review: A Sweet Change of Events

Sorry to the people waiting for this review. I had a ton of exams and had to get those done. I will get this review done today and hopefully catch up with episode #4 tomorrow. Anyways, onto the review.

The Show:

This week, we start off with a brand new couple. The male's name is Shigeru, and the female can't actually remember her's. Although at first they struggle to fathom what is going, eventually the girl decides you can't "live" without knowing her name. The game of the week is Rolling Ballade, essentially bowling. The players are to bowl like normal; however, this time the will be able to feel each other's heartbeats in their respective bowling balls. What ensues is not a bloodbath, an all out war, or even the pain train; instead, both players are playing happily along and cheering each other on. Eventually, the 2 start getting their memories back, and we learn that they were actually childhood friends. Her name is Chisato and she was always secretly in love with him. It seems that when they were kids, Chisato, Shigeru, and another girl, Mai, used to play together. When they were still young, Mai moved away and the protagonists were left alone. Although, it seemed as though Chisato liked him, he didn't really seem interested in her. Chisato's solution was to get plastic surgery to look just like Mai and get Shigeru to notice her. Well...It worked!!! The problem is that the first time he decided to approach her in real life, they died in a bus crash. In the world of the dead, he learns to appreciate her and they enjoy every last moment of their time together. The end result is that they are both sent to be reincarnated.

The Good:

• I decided that the OP is seriously amazing and it has already leap-frogged itself into my top 10 anime OP. I will be making a top 10 Anime OP's of shows I've watched soon.

• This episode was really a change in pace. It was much more relaxing and there wasn't any tense drama. I liked how it managed to still keep the mood gloomy and sulky. One of the most important things introduced is the possibility of both "contestants" going to Heaven or both players going to the Void.

• Dequim. He is showing more of a human side. In the previous episode, he proved he wasn't a robot by making a mistake. This time he showed that he has a sense of humour (albeit barely, but it's still a work in progress). 

• It was a real slow build up that led to a strong and unexpected finish. Although, the whole episode was about the two childhood friends getting together, I was just waiting for them to pull something crazy and turn them against each other.

• The background music was once again great.

• An overall strong story that is surely a change of pace for what is to come in Episode #4.

The Bad:

• It certainly wasn't as good as the first episode, but that isn't to say it was bad by any means. It was slower-paced and there was far less drama. For me, the first episode set the bar really high.

• The story seemed slightly too dramatic. I mean how could Shigeru seriously ignore Chisato, for that many years. They lived in the same town and I assume they went to the same school. Ignoring her for that many years and only noticing her after she looked like Mai, is kind of a dick move if you ask me. The short time frame, 

• Overall, just a slow and different episode compared to the fast-paced previous episodes.

The Answers:

• Will we learn more about Nona? - No, not in this episode

• What is Maria's real name? - Interestingly enough, she does seem to have her name revealed, though I'll just pretend like I never read it.

• How does one become an Arbiter? Are Arbiters immortal?  - I don't know, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

• What happens if nothing exciting happens in the game? - Why did I even ask this question?

• Can both players go through the same gate? - Yes, Yes, and YES!

• Will all the story arcs be 2-parters? -With the preview, showing a new game, most likely not. Also, I suspect that throughout the next 9 episodes, there will be 7 more games. There are 9 tiles on the roulette and they will most likely all be rolled once during the season.

• Did this game live up to the hype of the first one? -Not really, though it still was good in its own way.

• Is Dequim the only arbiter that can start games?- Still not sure, but in the intro they show Nona presenting a game.

• Can a Person Stuck in the Void Come Back? - I'm going to avoid this question for now.

The Questions:

The Old:

• Will we learn more about Nona?
• What is Maria's real name? 
• How does one become an Arbiter? Are Arbiters immortal?
• Is Dequim the only arbiter that can start games?

The New:

• Will Death Arcade involve a Hikikomori or Otaku?
• How will Dequim's character continue to evolve?
• What is the lowest relationship level for players to meet up? (Ex: Episode 1 involved a married couple. Episode 3 involved close friends. Could an otaku who has a crush on another girl work?)

The Conclusion:

A good episode that really stretches the imagination and provides a unique spin on the Death of Death Parade. I'd give this episode an 8.01/10. It delivered most of what I was expecting and managed to clear up a few things. As always, don't forget to Follow, +1, Comment, and CYA!

Death Parade Episode #2 Review: Questions and Answers

To begin, I would like to restate my love for the OP of this show. It is exciting and really makes me want to put my hands up and dance to the beat. I mean, you know an anime OP amazing and/or addictive and/or catchy when...

1. You try to download the song at school onto your phone just so you can listen to it while doing seat work

2. You go take a shower and have it blasting on full volume (albeit the full volume isn't that loud). You also, start humming the song and putting your hands up and dancing, but hopefully not falling to your death or a nosebleed.

3. You try to transpose the opening trumpet tune knowing full well that you suck at transposing. You unsurprisingly fail, but secretly want to do it again.

Well, now that I'm past that rant about how absolutely mind-blowing the OP is, on the review:

The Show:

I think I'll start dividing the review into sections like this to make it more organized.

Anyways, this week's episode was another very well put together episodes. We are introduced to 2 main, new characters Nona and the no name girl (I'll call her Maria, because she kind of looks like a Maria). Nona seems to be sort of a leader of the arbiters that focuses most of her time on managing the place. Maria, has forgotten her name and is now the new assistant to Dequim. We end up reliving some of the moments of the last episode, but from more of a spectator's point of view. We learn a bunch of things different things in regards to the judgments and how the Arbiters affect them. The Arbiters are able to see the couples' memories and use these along with their present actions to make their judgment. What we notice is that Dequim might have actually made a mistake and overlooked the weird series of events. We learn that Dequim's hobby is making mannequins which is, kind of creepy of obscure. Also, judgments aren't always correct and it would seem that Dequim made a bad decision. This leads me to believe that the 2 people can both be sent for reincarnation. Otherwise, since he deemed the husband innocent, his mistake must have been sending Machiko to the Void; and thus, she should have been sent for reincarnation as well. Overall, it provides a great analysis of the events of the first episode while still introducing and even developing the characters.

The Good:

• Dat OP though. I still haven't figured out if the OP is just catchy or if it is actually a good song. I definitely leaning towards absolutely stupendous, but we'll see after I take the time to dissect it.
• The background music once again brings out all the emotions and sets the mood perfectly
• New and interesting characters are introduced. 
• Art and animation for the most part is very fluid and colourful.
• Although, somewhat slow-paced it succeeded in retelling for the most part the same story and still making it interesting. 
• Dat OP though.
• I haven't really talked about the ED that much, but I think that NoisyCell did a very good job. It isn't the glorious BOOm BoOM bOOM fest that the OP is, but I'm glad it isn't. It follows the mood of the episode and successfully gives you a last look at the characters that you care for so much. I also like how they add a little 20-30 second cliffhanger-teaser at the end. The ED keeps you there just long enough to where, you are just able to get to the clip.
• People make mistakes, Arbiters do too. No big Deal.
• Finally, what I really like is the suspense. I hate the overuse of cliffhangers. Real suspense and excitement should have fans praying to the Arbiter Gods for the next episode, without the need for cliffhangers. It delivers a high amount of intrigue while answering and simultaneously presenting more and more questions.
• P.S. Dat OP though.

The Bad:

• A lot of the Dart scenes seemed to be reused from the previous episode. Though it isn't that bad, it is somewhat lazy on Madhouse's part.
• Is it just me or are anime earrings always drawn bad. They are always like floating from the ear. I mean are the Arbiters really that super powerful that they have the force? Anyways, this is a problem that occurs in many anime, and maybe just difficult to animate.
• The transitions from still shots seem a little slow. This maybe used for dramatic effect, but they are slightly irritating.
• Overall, these are just me knit-picking trying criticize the show. The good definitely beats out the bad.

The Questions:

• Will we learn more about Nona?
• What is Maria's real name?
• How does one become an Arbiter?
• Are Arbiters immortal?
• What happens if nothing exciting happens during the game?
• Can both players be sent through the same gate?
• How will the remaining episodes progress? Will they all be 2-parters with analysis in the second episode?
• Will the next game be able to live up to the first one?
• Where was Nona at the end of the episode?
• Can a person stuck in the Void be brought back?
• Is Dequim always the Arbiter, or are there other ones that are able to start a game?

These are just a couple of questions that I was able to think of off the top of my head. Next week, I will re-post them, and see if any were answered, along with whole slew of new ones.

Conclusion:

This is definitely one of the best anime of the season. I'm watching about 6 this season and it's the series I look forward to the second most (behind Tokyo Ghoul) each week. I'd give the episode a solid 7.91/10, and I'm really looking forward to the next episode. As always, don't forget to Follow, +1, Comment, and CYA!

Death Parade Episode 1/ First Impressions: Holy Crap!

I came into this first episode with no previous knowledge of what the show was about. I came in only knowing that it was a Madhouse Production, and I even came in with relatively expectations.

Let's start off with the beginning of the episode, the OP of course! Having not scene Death Billiards, I had no idea what to expect. The OP led me to believe that the show would possess a rather light and comedic mood, similar to that of Amagi Brilliant Park. The OP is deceiving as it is good. It is explosive and colourful, which I suppose you could say the two characters were. I don't think it really the type of song that I want to listen to at the beginning of every episode, but it is a very solid OP and could be used for any of the light comedies airing.

Next, is the actual episode review. Holy Crap! This episode was insane and although it is called "DEATH ParaDe", it's not exactly what I expected. The episode succeeded in doing many things properly. First of all, Madhouse definitely delivered with some spectacular animation. It isn't quite at the level of Fate/Stay Night UBW, but then again, they don't have aren't the unlimited budget works. If I had to compare it to Madhouse's other anime superstar, Parasyte, I would say that the art is better. The colour palette chosen for Death Parade is just so good. The dark shades of purple and black with the crisp and bright colours set the atmosphere just right. Next, in terms of the background music, it was pretty epic. The church-like, somber, opera music fits perfectly with the mood and reminds you what is going on. It has almost a Death Note type of feel to it, with the epic music and presence of a life (or after-life I suppose) altering game. 

Anyways, now we get to the good stuff. Busting out the elevators of doom and gloom are Takashi and Machiko, a married couple that unknowingly have fallen into the afterlife and will soon have their fate decided. An arbiter (he looks like a butler, so I'll just call him that), Dekim informs them that they must play a game before they can leave the room. After serious hesitation, Takashi decides to play the game, in hopes that he will a find a way to out of this world. Each player (Takashi and Machiko) is given 7 Darts to throw at a dart board. The person to score the most points after 7 throws wins. One problem: The board is scattered with pictures of rancid and twisted body parts that, on contact, will cause extreme pain to that organ. At first each of them takes turns hurting each other with the throws and genuinely feeling sorry. After a couple pain-throbbing throws Takashi remembers that he can just miss the board and nothing will happen; however, this comforting love doesn't last long. Takashi also starts to remember his past and Machiko does too. The each realize that the other has potentially wronged them. Subjects of infidelity, grievance, trickery are the leading causes of their insanity. The two proceed to have a blood bath of dart throwing and literal heart-pounding. The net result is that goal of the game is reached. Machiko reveals that she cheated on Takashi and the her baby isn't his. Unknowingly, Machiko is sent to the "Void" , while the enraged Takashi is sent for Reincarnation.

The animation and voice acting was spot on. I could feel the emotions of the characters were hit one after the other by metaphorical slashes to the heart.What's really amazing is the amount of development in such little time. I really cared for each of the characters and often switched sides all the way through to the nail-biting end.

There are many questions that arise. Who are the other lot of characters shown in the OP? Will we see the two ever again in a future episode? Is it possible the perfectly innocent couples meet the same fate?What happens if you choose not to play? Will the show be truly episodic? How will the show continue to top each weeks new episode? What is amazing about this kind of suspense is that it gets you thinking. Instead of just leaving an excruciatingly, painful cliffhanger at the end the episode concludes itself and still has you asking for more.

In terms of constructive comments, I don't have much. My only minor complaint is that the flashbacks seemed too whitened out, to the point where some parts were completely whited out. This is probably because of the nature of the flashbacks, but it's kinda disappointing that I couldn't get more of the gorgeous art.

Anyways, this show definitely exceeded my expectations and undeniably be one of the premier, if not #1, new-airing anime of the season! As always don't forget to Comment, Follow, Like, and CYA!